Sports reporter hits back at trolls after being mum-shamed over beach photo

A UK sports reporter has hit back at online trolls after being brutally mum-shamed on social media for a beach photo with her son.

A UK Sky Sports reporter has hit back at trolls after being brutally mum-shamed on social media.

Presenter Michelle Owen took to social media to defend herself after she was bombarded with messages after posting a picture of her 21-month-old son on the beach while on holidays in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

In the picture, Michelle, 31, could be seen smiling for the camera with her son Zac and their dog.

The canine was on its lead while Zac stood just ahead of his mum with a ribbon streamer attached to her waist band.

Michelle shared a snap from the beach with her son Zac and her dog with some accusing her of having her child on a lead

The ribbon was thought to be a lead rope for some Twitter users. AC

But one of her followers took to Twitter to make an inaccurate accusation, writing: “Child on a lead? Really?”

Michelle quickly corrected the Twitter user, replying: “The fluffy one is on a lead. The non-fluffy one is not … that’s a ribbon streamer which he loves waving around.”

“So much judgment”

The Sky Sports star then pointed out a lot of parents use harnesses to stop their little ones wandering off.

She wrote: “My non furry son is not on a leash. But so what if he was? Sometimes people do put toddlers on a harness as they literally run off.

“So much judgment on here, without even properly looking too.”

Michelle had plenty of support online too, with one fellow parent tweeting her: “We used to regularly put our two on reins, so we could catch them if they fall and so they don’t run off while learning to walk better – don’t worry about what others say.”

Sky Sports presenter Michelle Owen has hit back at trolls.

Michelle replied: “Yep Zac has a little dinosaur backpack! Don’t use it much but he is so headstrong he thinks it’s fine to trot off and he’s quick!”

Another follower wrote: “No issue at all – he’s your kid! I remember back when there had been a spate of kids being snatched or lost a new trend for a wrist strap for kids too old for old-fashioned reins came in.

“Christ it’s not like Zac is on a choke chain! Keep up the good work in keeping him safe.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission